Do Luxury Handbags Make Smart Investments?
Her World Singapore|December 2023
With headlines from reputable news outlets declaring luxury handbags a better investment than art, watches and even classic cars, can women really turn to their bags as a viable option?
Charmaine Ho
Do Luxury Handbags Make Smart Investments?

It's tempting to think of designer handbags as alternative investments that help diversify your portfolio. After all, according to London-based art and collectible analysts Art Market Research's Luxury Handbag Report 2020, bags from the infallible trio of Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton saw a valuation spike of an average 80 per cent in the last decade.

This outperforms first-edition books and even watches, which saw an increase of 40 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively. And if that is not enough to convince, it has also been reported elsewhere that the price of Chanel handbags has increased by 100 per cent over the last decade, outstripping the stock market's comparatively conservative 10 per cent and gold's 21 per cent.

At first glance, figures like that leave little room to argue. So should you really be reaching out for that designer handbag in the name of investment? The bad news is: Unless you have a six-figure budget just lying around for that diamond-studded Nile crocodile Birkin (the world record holder for the most expensive bag ever auctioned at over $500,000), you might be better off putting that hard-earned cash in a handbag that sparks joy instead.

As Nejla Matam-Finn, CEO of pre-loved luxury website The Fifth Collection, says: "As a general rule of thumb, you have to expect to lose between 30 and 40 per cent [of your bag's value] as soon as you leave the boutique. The numbers can go higher, depending on the brand, with some brands performing better than others. But don't expect to get a price that's close to retail [prices], because that is almost non-existent."

Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HER WORLD SINGAPORESe alt
Breaking Down The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid
Her World Singapore

Breaking Down The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid

Here's why this popular skincare ingredient is a potent fix for dehydrated complexions.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Heritage in a Bottle
Her World Singapore

Heritage in a Bottle

Crafted by Swiss perfumer Christine Nagel, Barenia is the first chypre fragrance from Hermes, a seductive scent that is a dance between the delicate butterfly lily and the vibrant burst of miracle berry.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Is my adult acne caused by hormonal changes?
Her World Singapore

Is my adult acne caused by hormonal changes?

Quinn Chen answers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
BEST IN CLASS
Her World Singapore

BEST IN CLASS

MOVING AWAY FROM INTRODUCING ENTIRELY NEW PRODUCTS, BRANDS SUCH AS SHISEIDO, CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE AND SULWHASOO HAVE CHOSEN TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD TO ELEVATE TRIED-AND-TRUE FORMULAS. THESE ICONIC CLASSICS ARE MORE EFFICACIOUS AND LUXURIOUS THAN BEFORE.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Sneak Peek
Her World Singapore

Sneak Peek

We've got our sights set on these new must-haves that promise to breathe new life into tired-looking eyes.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ACTS OF SERVICE
Her World Singapore

ACTS OF SERVICE

Beauty brands are enticing customers with a range of in-store treatments and services that offer expert tips, demonstrations and pampering.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
November favourites
Her World Singapore

November favourites

Here are some of the must-haves you will not regret adding to your beauty shelf.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Against the rules
Her World Singapore

Against the rules

Step into the dark side with grunge-inspired moody tones and smoky, smudgy eyes.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Is it ever a good idea to engage in online discourse?
Her World Singapore

Is it ever a good idea to engage in online discourse?

Sarah Bagharib answers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
GO WITH THE FLOW
Her World Singapore

GO WITH THE FLOW

Half a month in Mongolia living with nomadic families and exploring the country's storied beauty taught senior advertising strategist Uli Chan the beauty of impermanence.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024